{"id":38933,"date":"2026-08-11T17:02:50","date_gmt":"2026-08-11T12:02:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=38933"},"modified":"2026-08-11T17:02:50","modified_gmt":"2026-08-11T12:02:50","slug":"fccs-abc-fight-raises-stakes-for-broadcast-tv","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=38933","title":{"rendered":"FCC\u2019s ABC Fight Raises Stakes For Broadcast TV"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div xmlns:default=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" id=\"Paginator\">\n<header xmlns:default=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"sc-lfRwAv pSqCT\">\n<div class=\"sc-hndrU icIUoY\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/okmagazine.com\/ok_logo_black_small.png\" alt=\"OK Logo\"\/><span class=\"news\">NEWS<\/span><\/div>\n<figure class=\"sc-ksluoS jnYGUA\">\n<div class=\"sc-hBMVcZ foAbWl\">\n<div class=\"sc-fnVYJo jZjbnN\"><img data-mm-src=\"https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/IxCHwK0cK\/0x0\/fcc-abc-fight-ownership-cap-repeal-raise-stakes-broadcast-tv-1786378091515.jpg\" alt=\"Composite photo of Brendan Carr and the ABC building.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/IxCHwK0cK\/480x251\/fcc-abc-fight-ownership-cap-repeal-raise-stakes-broadcast-tv-1786378091515.jpg?position=top 480w, https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/IxCHwK0cK\/640x335\/fcc-abc-fight-ownership-cap-repeal-raise-stakes-broadcast-tv-1786378091515.jpg?position=top 640w, https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/IxCHwK0cK\/768x402\/fcc-abc-fight-ownership-cap-repeal-raise-stakes-broadcast-tv-1786378091515.jpg?position=top 768w, https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/IxCHwK0cK\/1024x536\/fcc-abc-fight-ownership-cap-repeal-raise-stakes-broadcast-tv-1786378091515.jpg?position=top 1024w, https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/IxCHwK0cK\/1280x670\/fcc-abc-fight-ownership-cap-repeal-raise-stakes-broadcast-tv-1786378091515.jpg?position=top 1280w, https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/IxCHwK0cK\/1440x753\/fcc-abc-fight-ownership-cap-repeal-raise-stakes-broadcast-tv-1786378091515.jpg?position=top 1440w, https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/IxCHwK0cK\/1600x837\/fcc-abc-fight-ownership-cap-repeal-raise-stakes-broadcast-tv-1786378091515.jpg?position=top 1600w, https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/IxCHwK0cK\/2160x1130\/fcc-abc-fight-ownership-cap-repeal-raise-stakes-broadcast-tv-1786378091515.jpg?position=top 2160w\" data-sizes=\"100vw\" height=\"628\" fetchpriority=\"high\" class=\"sc-fFSRdu efvKbs\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"sc-giAqnE haccci\"><span>Source: MEGA<\/span><\/p>\n<p>The FCC defended its scrutiny of ABC\u2019s broadcast licenses.<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<div class=\"sc-bTJPMs jOkeMf\">\n<div class=\"flexContainer\">\n<div class=\"flexContainer\">\n<div class=\"sc-hQYogJ iAyoZX\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/RI7jbXUbY\/120x120\/ok-pink-logo-1650489068371.png\" alt=\"Profile Image\" class=\"sc-fTFLOO jxvOeh\"\/><\/div>\n<p class=\"sc-dwxYxt eflEDT\">Aug. 11 2026, Published 7:29 a.m. ET<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"sc-dTSxUT dyQypj sc-gVFdEO kziYVQ\">\n<p>Article continues below advertisement<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-gkCpWe evoggL\">\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/okmagazine.com\/p\/abc-clash-federal-communications-commission-the-view-hot-seat\/\">Federal Communications Commission<\/a>\u2019s fight with <a href=\"https:\/\/okmagazine.com\/t\/abc\/\">ABC<\/a> is no longer just about one network, one talk show or one late-night host.<\/p>\n<p>Under Chairman <a href=\"https:\/\/okmagazine.com\/p\/fcc-chairman-brendan-carr-insists-review-abc-broadcast-licenses-not-political\/\"><strong>Brendan Carr<\/strong><\/a>, the agency is defending its scrutiny of ABC while also moving to repeal the national television ownership cap, a change that could allow major station groups to expand their reach. Together, the moves have intensified questions about how much power the FCC should have over broadcast media at a moment when President <a href=\"https:\/\/okmagazine.com\/t\/donald-trump\/\"><strong>Donald Trump<\/strong><\/a> has openly criticized ABC programming and repeatedly called for <a href=\"https:\/\/okmagazine.com\/t\/jimmy-kimmel\/\"><strong>Jimmy Kimmel<\/strong><\/a> to be fired.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-dTSxUT dyQypj sc-hkePoP hVImEU\">\n<p>Article continues below advertisement<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2 data-header=\"true\" class=\"sc-flUlJl gvtwpJ\">ABC Battles Back<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"sc-ksluoS jnYGUA\">\n<div class=\"sc-hBMVcZ bgyRLF\">\n<div class=\"sc-fnVYJo dfXZyd\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/qk5DREVOL\/0x0\/fcc-abc-fight-ownership-cap-repeal-raise-stakes-broadcast-tv-2-1786378206511.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Image of ABC accused the agency of retaliating over its viewpoints.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/qk5DREVOL\/480x270\/fcc-abc-fight-ownership-cap-repeal-raise-stakes-broadcast-tv-2-1786378206511.jpg 480w, https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/qk5DREVOL\/640x360\/fcc-abc-fight-ownership-cap-repeal-raise-stakes-broadcast-tv-2-1786378206511.jpg 640w, https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/qk5DREVOL\/768x432\/fcc-abc-fight-ownership-cap-repeal-raise-stakes-broadcast-tv-2-1786378206511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/qk5DREVOL\/1024x576\/fcc-abc-fight-ownership-cap-repeal-raise-stakes-broadcast-tv-2-1786378206511.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/qk5DREVOL\/1280x720\/fcc-abc-fight-ownership-cap-repeal-raise-stakes-broadcast-tv-2-1786378206511.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/qk5DREVOL\/1440x810\/fcc-abc-fight-ownership-cap-repeal-raise-stakes-broadcast-tv-2-1786378206511.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/qk5DREVOL\/1600x900\/fcc-abc-fight-ownership-cap-repeal-raise-stakes-broadcast-tv-2-1786378206511.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/qk5DREVOL\/2160x1215\/fcc-abc-fight-ownership-cap-repeal-raise-stakes-broadcast-tv-2-1786378206511.jpg 2160w\" sizes=\"100vw\" height=\"720\" fetchpriority=\"low\" class=\"sc-fFSRdu inofKU\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"sc-giAqnE haccci\"><span>Source: MEGA<\/span><\/p>\n<p>ABC accused the agency of retaliating over its viewpoints.<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<div class=\"sc-gkCpWe evoggL\">\n<p>Carr defended the agency\u2019s actions in a July 31 Fox Business <a href=\"https:\/\/okmagazine.com\/t\/interviews\/\">interview<\/a>, arguing that broadcasters receive free access to valuable public airwaves and must \u201coperate in the public interest.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cLook, as a country, we should have a trusted, respected news media, and we\u2019re not there,\u201d Carr said. \u201cSo I hope more broadcasters return to their public-interest obligations.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>ABC sees something more threatening. In a July 30 FCC filing, the network accused the agency of <a href=\"https:\/\/okmagazine.com\/p\/fcc-targets-abc-licenses-jimmy-kimmel-trump-feud-late-night-showdown\/\">targeting<\/a> eight ABC-owned local broadcast licenses because the administration dislikes the network\u2019s viewpoints.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe retaliation against ABC is a signal to every media company in the country,\u201d ABC wrote. \u201cAccommodate the Administration\u2019s view of what news coverage should look like or pay the price.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-dTSxUT dyQypj sc-hkePoP hVImEU\">\n<p>Article continues below advertisement<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2 data-header=\"true\" class=\"sc-flUlJl gvtwpJ\">Jimmy Kimmel, &#8216;The View&#8217; and Equal Time<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"sc-ksluoS jnYGUA\">\n<div class=\"sc-hBMVcZ bgyRLF\">\n<div class=\"sc-fnVYJo dfXZyd\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/yTTKnb5GS\/0x0\/fcc-abc-fight-ownership-cap-repeal-raise-stakes-broadcast-tv-3-1786378220023.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Image of Jimmy Kimmel\u2019s clash with Donald Trump reportedly fueled the dispute.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/yTTKnb5GS\/480x270\/fcc-abc-fight-ownership-cap-repeal-raise-stakes-broadcast-tv-3-1786378220023.jpg 480w, https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/yTTKnb5GS\/640x360\/fcc-abc-fight-ownership-cap-repeal-raise-stakes-broadcast-tv-3-1786378220023.jpg 640w, https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/yTTKnb5GS\/768x432\/fcc-abc-fight-ownership-cap-repeal-raise-stakes-broadcast-tv-3-1786378220023.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/yTTKnb5GS\/1024x576\/fcc-abc-fight-ownership-cap-repeal-raise-stakes-broadcast-tv-3-1786378220023.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/yTTKnb5GS\/1280x720\/fcc-abc-fight-ownership-cap-repeal-raise-stakes-broadcast-tv-3-1786378220023.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/yTTKnb5GS\/1440x810\/fcc-abc-fight-ownership-cap-repeal-raise-stakes-broadcast-tv-3-1786378220023.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/yTTKnb5GS\/1600x900\/fcc-abc-fight-ownership-cap-repeal-raise-stakes-broadcast-tv-3-1786378220023.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/yTTKnb5GS\/2160x1215\/fcc-abc-fight-ownership-cap-repeal-raise-stakes-broadcast-tv-3-1786378220023.jpg 2160w\" sizes=\"100vw\" height=\"720\" fetchpriority=\"low\" class=\"sc-fFSRdu inofKU\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"sc-giAqnE haccci\"><span>Source: MEGA<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Jimmy Kimmel\u2019s clash with Donald Trump reportedly fueled the dispute.<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<div class=\"sc-gkCpWe evoggL\">\n<p>The license review began in April, shortly after a clash over a <a href=\"https:\/\/okmagazine.com\/t\/jimmy-kimmel-live\/\"><em>Jimmy Kimmel Live!<\/em><\/a> joke that angered Trump. The FCC cited <a href=\"https:\/\/okmagazine.com\/t\/disney\/\">Disney<\/a>\u2019s diversity, equity and inclusion practices, while ABC argued the early review was extraordinary and retaliatory.<\/p>\n<p>ABC is also fighting Carr\u2019s effort to revisit whether <a href=\"https:\/\/okmagazine.com\/t\/the-view\/\"><em>The View<\/em><\/a> qualifies as a \u201cbona fide\u201d news program exempt from equal-time rules for political candidates. The FCC classified the daytime show that way in 2002.<\/p>\n<p>ABC said more than 140,000 public comments had been filed in the license matter, with more than 95% supporting the network\u2019s position.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"sc-jHcYrh hanhiD\">\n<p>MORE ON:<\/p>\n<p>ABC<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"sc-jLqSar MszUH\">\n<p class=\"sc-bUQzRK dZWmuA\">Want OK! each day? Sign up here!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-dTSxUT dyQypj sc-hkePoP hVImEU\">\n<p>Article continues below advertisement<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2 data-header=\"true\" class=\"sc-flUlJl gvtwpJ\">A Win for Bigger Broadcasters<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"sc-ksluoS jnYGUA\">\n<div class=\"sc-hBMVcZ bgyRLF\">\n<div class=\"sc-fnVYJo dfXZyd\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/HuT62Ek3_\/0x0\/fcc-abc-fight-ownership-cap-repeal-raise-stakes-broadcast-tv-4-1786378238472.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Image of The FCC moved to repeal the national TV ownership cap.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/HuT62Ek3_\/480x270\/fcc-abc-fight-ownership-cap-repeal-raise-stakes-broadcast-tv-4-1786378238472.jpg 480w, https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/HuT62Ek3_\/640x360\/fcc-abc-fight-ownership-cap-repeal-raise-stakes-broadcast-tv-4-1786378238472.jpg 640w, https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/HuT62Ek3_\/768x432\/fcc-abc-fight-ownership-cap-repeal-raise-stakes-broadcast-tv-4-1786378238472.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/HuT62Ek3_\/1024x576\/fcc-abc-fight-ownership-cap-repeal-raise-stakes-broadcast-tv-4-1786378238472.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/HuT62Ek3_\/1280x720\/fcc-abc-fight-ownership-cap-repeal-raise-stakes-broadcast-tv-4-1786378238472.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/HuT62Ek3_\/1440x810\/fcc-abc-fight-ownership-cap-repeal-raise-stakes-broadcast-tv-4-1786378238472.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/HuT62Ek3_\/1600x900\/fcc-abc-fight-ownership-cap-repeal-raise-stakes-broadcast-tv-4-1786378238472.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/HuT62Ek3_\/2160x1215\/fcc-abc-fight-ownership-cap-repeal-raise-stakes-broadcast-tv-4-1786378238472.jpg 2160w\" sizes=\"100vw\" height=\"720\" fetchpriority=\"low\" class=\"sc-fFSRdu inofKU\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"sc-giAqnE haccci\"><span>Source: MEGA<\/span><\/p>\n<p>The FCC moved to repeal the national TV ownership cap.<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<div class=\"sc-gkCpWe evoggL\">\n<p>On August 6, the FCC voted 2\u20131 along party lines to repeal the national broadcast ownership rule, which barred one company from reaching more than 39% of U.S. television households over public airwaves.<\/p>\n<p>Carr said the rule would be replaced by \u201ccase-by-case review\u201d and argued that the old cap was outdated in a media world dominated by tech platforms.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2 data-header=\"true\" class=\"sc-flUlJl gvtwpJ\"\/>\n<figure class=\"sc-ksluoS jnYGUA\">\n<div class=\"sc-hBMVcZ bgyRLF\">\n<div class=\"sc-fnVYJo dfXZyd\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/Tc6lZbpby\/0x0\/fcc-abc-fight-ownership-cap-repeal-raise-stakes-broadcast-tv-5-1786378247702.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Image of Critics warned the rule change could reshape local television.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/Tc6lZbpby\/480x270\/fcc-abc-fight-ownership-cap-repeal-raise-stakes-broadcast-tv-5-1786378247702.jpg 480w, https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/Tc6lZbpby\/640x360\/fcc-abc-fight-ownership-cap-repeal-raise-stakes-broadcast-tv-5-1786378247702.jpg 640w, https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/Tc6lZbpby\/768x432\/fcc-abc-fight-ownership-cap-repeal-raise-stakes-broadcast-tv-5-1786378247702.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/Tc6lZbpby\/1024x576\/fcc-abc-fight-ownership-cap-repeal-raise-stakes-broadcast-tv-5-1786378247702.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/Tc6lZbpby\/1280x720\/fcc-abc-fight-ownership-cap-repeal-raise-stakes-broadcast-tv-5-1786378247702.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/Tc6lZbpby\/1440x810\/fcc-abc-fight-ownership-cap-repeal-raise-stakes-broadcast-tv-5-1786378247702.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/Tc6lZbpby\/1600x900\/fcc-abc-fight-ownership-cap-repeal-raise-stakes-broadcast-tv-5-1786378247702.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/Tc6lZbpby\/2160x1215\/fcc-abc-fight-ownership-cap-repeal-raise-stakes-broadcast-tv-5-1786378247702.jpg 2160w\" sizes=\"100vw\" height=\"720\" fetchpriority=\"low\" class=\"sc-fFSRdu inofKU\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"sc-giAqnE haccci\"><span>Source: UNSPLASH<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Critics warned the rule change could reshape local television.<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<div class=\"sc-gkCpWe evoggL\">\n<p>Critics warned the move could accelerate consolidation. Democratic commissioner <strong>Anna Gomez<\/strong> called the cap a \u201cstructural safeguard to preserve localism, viewpoint diversity, and competition.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cEliminating the cap does not free local broadcasters from economic pressure,\u201d she said, \u201cit just changes who is doing the squeezing.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>NEWS Source: MEGA The FCC defended its scrutiny of ABC\u2019s broadcast licenses. Aug. 11 2026, Published 7:29 a.m. ET Article continues below advertisement The Federal Communications Commission\u2019s fight with ABC is no longer just about one network, one talk show or one late-night host. Under Chairman Brendan Carr, the agency is defending its scrutiny of&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":38934,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/media.okmagazine.com\/brand-img\/IxCHwK0cK\/1200x628\/fcc-abc-fight-ownership-cap-repeal-raise-stakes-broadcast-tv-1786378091515.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-38933","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-celebrity-gossip"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38933","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=38933"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38933\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/38934"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=38933"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=38933"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=38933"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}